Bridgeway’s Conosco merger sets out group information security vision
Bridgeway Security Solutions has merged with Conosco to become the Conosco Group.
This merger will deliver Bridgeway’s wide portfolio of solutions in information security, cyber security and managed IT services to Conosco, a London-based managed IT support and services provider in London.
Under the terms of the deal, Conosco CEO Luca Pepere becomes group CEO, while Jason Holloway continues as managing director of Bridgeway and joins the Conosco Group board.
Bridgeway Security Solutions was founded in 2011 and is based on Buckingway Business Park in Swavesey. The company says its “vision-led approach takes products, policies, processes, and people into account, helping customers overcome security and risk challenges and enhance their business”.
A specialist in information and cyber security solutions with a strong domain expertise in mobile security, Bridgeway mainly works with third party software vendors alongside IronWorks, its own bespoke solution. IronWorks is a mobile device management and reporting tool for security and compliance.
Jason said of the merger: “We believe this is a strong and complementary combination of forward-thinking organisations, allowing us to scale and deliver valuable innovations faster than before. We share the same culture and relentless focus on customer service.”
Conosco’s online-only services have a strong focus on Microsoft technologies. Solutions start with strategic leadership, with expertise providing customers with the right infrastructure, technology, and communications solutions in a 24/7 support package.
Both companies’ customers gain access to the other company’s solutions and the wider resources of the combined group “will enable the Conosco Group to create new services and solutions for their customers”.
Luca said: “Being able to join forces with Jason and his team is a unique opportunity for Conosco to enhance our customer proposition and to scale our security offering. For Conosco the merger with Bridgeway is a major step towards becoming a leading managed IT and security services provider with a focus on building customer value and long-term relationships.”
The adviser for the merger was Newmarket-based Prism Corporate Broking. The company’s managing director, Peter Watson, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with both businesses, and help facilitate their merger.
“From the first meeting between Luca and Jason, the cultural fit was obvious. This is just the first step to building a much larger IT services group and we look forward to working together in the future.”
With more than 80 staff across the UK and South Africa, the Conosco Group is building a leading technology and security service provider able to support existing IT services, while proactively delivering innovation to help drive business transformation and create substantial value to customers.
Post-merger, Bridgeway’s ‘Phones4Patients’ initiative will continue its mission of delivering reurposed mobile phones to hospital patients and care home residents.
Initially launched during lockdown in 2020, Phones for Patients, which is run by Bridgeway, collects mobile devices, chargers and cables donated by organisations and individuals. The devices are then securely prepared for donation with all existing data and applications securely wiped, and apps such as FaceTime, Zoom and WhatsApp installed.
